Oilers fans don't seem happy about a new addition to the first line
Edmonton Oilers fans do not appear to be happy about a new addition to the team’s first line.
Head coach Jay Woodcroft revealed an extensive lineup shuffle on Tuesday morning as the team prepares to play without an injured Connor McDavid.
Among the biggest changes to the lines was the addition of Mattias Janmark on the top line with Evander Kane and Leon Draisaitl. This has fans in a frenzy as the team is in dire need of some wins to make up for a rough 1-3-1 start to the season.
Alright Woodcroft is one of the worst coaches in the league I’ve seen enough
Trade Janmark for future considerations https://t.co/9NsMZByFdf
— Joshua 💣 (@BouchBombs) October 24, 2023
There isn’t a team in the NHL that would have Janmark on their #1 line.
Except the Jay Woodcroft Edmonton Oilers.
Does Woody need a wellness check?
— VisuallyBetter (@Isuckatpicking) October 24, 2023
Lemme get this straight, Janmark has an abysmal game against the Jets, two poor penalties, and was otherwise invisible on line 2 so now he gets promoted to line 1? This is criminal 💀 Dylan Holloway is RIGHT THERE
— Schmiddy The GOAT (@SchmiddyG) October 24, 2023
Janmark is not your typical first-line player, especially on a team that is expected to compete for the Stanley Cup. So far this season, the 30-year-old Swede has no points, an expected goals percentage (xGF%) of 35.67, and has been out-scored 5-0 while on the ice.
Not to mention also getting out-chanced by opposing teams by a 39-59 margin.
It’s pretty safe to say that Janmark has been among the worst-performing forwards on the team this season. This has fans questioning Woodcroft’s affinity for certain players over others.
Woodcroft looking at tonight's line up pic.twitter.com/WRucNImSwC
— Adam Risling (@AdamRiz) October 24, 2023
Just a reminder that back when 97 was healthy, Janmark averaged the seventh most 5on5 TOI amongst forwards. So, I'm sure Woodcroft will be totally sensible with his icetime now
— Dennis King (@DKingBH) October 23, 2023
I’m now fully convinced that if Mattias Janmark ever gets hurt that Woodcroft is just going to forfeit the games until he returns. #LetsGoOilers
— Morgan Laidler (@MorganLaidler) October 24, 2023
A popular choice among the fanbase to replace Janmark in that top-line role is sophomore Dylan Holloway. The 22-year-old has also had a slow start with no points as well but has driven play in the right direction. At the moment he ranks seventh on the team with a positive xGF% of 56.61. The team has out-chanced the opposition 57-46 with Holloway on the ice.
Instead, Holloway looks to be playing on the team’s third line tonight with Ryan McLeod and Connor Brown.
I’m not a fan of Janmark on the first line at all. I’d rather Ryan on the top line than Janmark if we’re constrained to choosing fourth liners. But there’s no reason Holloway shouldn’t be given a shot on the top line at this point.
— OilersFan29 (@OilersFan2910) October 24, 2023
Kane has been awful. Janmark not good.
Have you ever played a team sport? That sends the most disheartening message to Holloway that no matter how hard you try you are stuck in bottom six. JW is so stubborn.— Oilers fan (@meisamnorouzi) October 24, 2023
Could be Holloway, Foegele and Lavoie but Woodcroft tunnel visioned on Janmark
— Sean Maloughney (@SMaloughney) October 24, 2023
Like it or not, it doesn’t look like Oilers fans are going to have a choice on what lines the team will roll without McDavid in the lineup.
We’ll see if Janmark can change some minds when the Oilers play the Minnesota Wild tonight at 7 MT on Sportsnet West.